The two sisters behind Fat Spoon have finally launched their sparkling new restaurant, simply called Mei, a contemporary Japanese joint in Desa Sri Hartamas that seems set to replicate its elder sibling's well-earned success in Damansara Uptown.
Mei is no twin of Fat Spoon; it's a destination with its own distinct identity, carving out a clean, bright-white look that cultivates a cheerful charm, coupled with flourishes that simultaneously & stylishly evoke both the classic kopitiams & cutting-edge cafes.
The Pong sisters have long proven their culinary acumen; there's no fear for the kitchen here, which borrows inspiration primarily from Japanese traditions but takes wide-ranging, well-chosen liberties to make the menu unique, illustrated by sharing plates with nuanced combinations like chopped Hokkaido scallops with lychee (RM28).
Graze on gizzards, glazed with honey soy (RM8 for two yakitori skewers), & feast on fried oysters with kaffir lime mayo (RM18 for four). You'll also find everything from lemongrass chicken poppers (RM12) to pumpkin fritters (RM8) on these 'Fat Plates.'
Rice bowls form the comfort-food cornerstone of Mei's menu - can't fault the seared sliced ox tongue, sweet-savoury & succulent, with cili padi & garlic chips on steamed rice, served with miso radish soup (RM19). There are also some bowls crowned with sashimi & others with braised beef short ribs, onsen eggs & multiple pleasures.
Try Mei's interpretation of onigiri, laced with unagi & shisho (RM10; our choice), torched salmon, smoked duck or mentaiko. Flavoursome & convincingly textured; would make a fun snack to take away too, especially since it's conveniently wrapped up.
For dessert, matcha maniacs can check out the green tea cream puff (RM6), with soft, fresh-tasting cream, or the green tea creme brulee (RM17) or the green tea ice cream (RM8). With apologies to Kermit, it seems pretty easy being green for Mei.
Colours also conspire for Mei's juices - Red (RM12) is represented by dragon fruit, watermelon, apples & goji berries, while Orange (RM10) obliges oranges, carrots, apples & young ginger. Head here to find out what White, Green & Yellow are about - & expect many others to follow suit; we know we'll be hearing much more about Mei in the months ahead.
Mei By Fat Spoon
22G, Jalan 27/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur. Open daily, 10am-11pm
Check out the latest edition of Eat Drink KL: 100 Favourites, featuring 100 recommended restaurants for January-March 2015. This eBook is available to read or download at this link: http://eatdrinkkl.cld.bz/2015
This link expires March 31, 2015. Please check the newest blog entries after that for fresh links.
Stay up to date: The Eat Drink KL newsletter is sent by email to subscribers every Monday; it's the Klang Valley's foremost weekly round-up of new restaurant openings (even before they're featured on this blog), F&B promotions & other tasty tidbits.
Subscribe to Eat Drink KL Weekly for free via this following link:
Note to subscribers on Gmail: The newsletter will be in the Promotions folder of your inbox.
Sausages to sambal. Muffins to marshmallows. Peanut butter to mango chutney. Cornflake ice cream to honey aloe yogurt. Lavender-laced lemonades to lychee-&-guava juices.
Eat Drink KL: Small Businesses, Huge Flavours is the first eBook to help customers navigate the diversity of independent F&B entrepreneurs who bake & boil in their own kitchens, offering some of Malaysia's finest, most fascinating food products.
This resource will be continuously updated with new listings: www.eatdrinkkl.publ.com/businesses
